Newly Ordained Biography: Rev. James Weighner

Father James Weighner was born in Waukon, IA on October 10, 1960 to the late Phillip and Catherine Weighner. He was baptized at St. Patrick's Church in Waukon and his home parish is Blessed Sacrament in La Crosse.

Father James has worked in manufacturing and farming and attended Hillsdale College (Hillsdale, MI) as well as Loras College (Dubuque, IA) before entering the seminary program. He received a degree in Business Management from Loras College.

Father James studied at Mundelein Seminary and graduated in 2007 with a Master's in Divinity degree. In 2001, before studying at Mundelein, Father James studied with the Legionnaires of Christ  attaining a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Philosophy (Redemptoras Mater).

During the summer as a seminarian, Father James spent time at the parishes of Blessed Sacrament (La Crosse), St. Rose of Lima (Cadott), St. James the Less (La Crosse), and St. Mary's (Lyndon Station). Father James also attended the IPF program in 2005.

Father James's ecclesiastical interests include ethics as well as liturgy. His secular interests include fishing, hunting, sports, cooking, and flying.  He was ordained a deacon in August 2006 by Bishop Jerome Listecki and was ordained a priest on  June 11, 2007 also by Bishop Jerome Listecki.